Every software provider will dazzle you with the latest and greatest in technology, but will it help you run your business at optimal levels? It seems that most companies have parts of the business they do very well, but it's important to look for a provider with a fully integrated system that includes inventory, sales, finance and underwriting, and a fully integrated accounting package.

Each day, you are caught up in the day-to-day activities of your dealership. However, motion does not translate into progress. Can you use your technology to make decisions that will have a positive impact on your bottom line? Using technology that turns data into information is critical for long-term success of your business. Don't be satisfied with evaluating yesterday's results and hoping for better performance today. The system you use should be capable of predicting future results, giving you a clear path to success. Easy to use reports with the flexibility of customization and no costly programming fees should be a priority when making this important decision.

As your business grows from single point to multi-point, with perhaps centralized accounting, reconditioning, and collections functions, your technology should have the depth to grow with you. The ability to evaluate the performance of each store, consolidated in real time will help you to react before the end of the month.

Keep in mind that when choosing an operating system provider, you are going to be married to this company for a long time. I strongly suggest digging beneath the surface and evaluating the company. Check out the customer service department and decide if they are staffed sufficiently to handle your needs. Can you get a real person on the line during business hours to answer the important questions you may have?

The above concerns and areas for you to consider are critical, whether you are just getting into the business or an operator looking to upgrade your technology.

Greg Delks is the vice president of Discover Software. Discover Software incorporates all of the features suggested above into its technology. For more information, log onto www.discover-software.com or call 866-966-1212.